University of Mary Students Solve for “x” — and Find Themselves Headed to Budapest

The school's first-ever acceptance into a prestigious international mathematics program signals growing recognition of the University of Mary's mathematics program and its emphasis on rigorous, student-centered learning

BISMARCK, N.D. - For many, mathematics can feel like a puzzle with too many missing pieces - intimidating, abstract, even discouraging. But for University of Mary students Fiona Kelly and Thomas King, that same challenge has become an invitation - one that is now taking them halfway around the world.

For the first time in university history, two students from the University of Mary have been accepted into the Budapest Semesters in Mathematics - one of the most prestigious undergraduate mathematics study-abroad programs in the world.

King, a junior from Burnsville, Minnesota, will attend the program this summer, while Kelly, originally from Ave Maria, Florida, now living in Bismarck, will participate in the fall.

A Global Stage for Mathematical Excellence

The highly selective program - where admitted students typically hold grade point averages around 3.7 or higher - brings together top undergraduate mathematics students from across the globe to study in Hungary, a country long regarded as a hub of mathematical innovation. Each semester, only about 60 students from colleges and universities across North America are selected, placing participants among a small and highly competitive global cohort.

"It is extremely significant," said Dr. Andy Leinart, associate professor of mathematics at the University of Mary. "This acceptance places students from our liberal arts and science programs on equal footing with those from major research universities worldwide."

Hungary's mathematical tradition includes legendary figures such as Paul Erdős and John von Neumann, and its educational philosophy emphasizes creativity, problem-solving, and deep conceptual understanding.

For King, the opportunity is both academic and deeply personal.

"I love learning math, and ever since I heard about this program, I knew it was something I wanted to do," he said. "Having spent so much time wondering if I would actually get in, it means a lot to have been accepted."

From Curiosity to Calling

Both students trace their passion for mathematics back to formative moments with inspiring teachers.

King discovered his love for math in eighth grade.

"His love of math was so evident that I wanted to see what he saw from math," King said of his teacher. "I would not be where I am today without him."

Kelly's path took shape through a different, but equally powerful experience - encountering the beauty of mathematical proof.

"I was struck by its logic and its worth, but most of all by its beauty," Kelly said. "A good mathematical proof is just gorgeous."

She credits her early foundation to her mother, who homeschooled her and first introduced her to college- level mathematics - and showed her from a young age that women can thrive in STEM fields. "I attribute it to my mom's example that I'm studying math today," Kelly said.

That sense of wonder, according to Leinart, is exactly what sets these students apart.

"They have a sense of wonder and delight that impels them to want to learn even more about mathematics," he said. "They thrive on complex, abstract ideas and are willing to step beyond their comfort zones."

Beyond the Classroom

While the mathematics will be rigorous, both students are equally excited about the experience of living and learning abroad.

King, who has never traveled outside the United States, is eager to explore Hungary's deep history and culture.

"Having only seen something as old as 150 years, it is hard to comprehend how old that is," he said. "I want to try to find a nice study spot, maybe by the river or near an old cathedral."

Kelly, who previously visited Budapest during a semester at University of Mary's Rome campus, is looking forward to returning.

"It immediately struck me as exactly the sort of beautiful, culturally rich city I'd like to see again," she said.

From public transit and pastries to historic districts and cultural traditions, both students see the experience as far more than academic.

Solving More Than Equations

For both students, the experience is not just about mathematics - it's about discovery, growth, and possibility.

King hopes to one day earn a Ph.D. and contribute to fields that inspire curiosity and wonder.

"I want to work on something that makes people excited to be alive and see it develop," he said.

Kelly also plans to pursue a graduate degree.

"I want the sort of career that doesn't tend toward mental stagnation," she said. "I want to do something that could have a readily discernible impact."

Dr. Bob Willenbring, chair of the University of Mary's mathematics and physics department, has no doubt they are up to the task.

"They will be top-notch ambassadors," he said. "Their intellectual vitality and genuine joy for their studies will naturally shine through."

As they prepare to study in one of the world's great centers of mathematical thought, both students carry with them not just knowledge, but a deeper message. Math, it turns out, isn't just about getting the right answer. Sometimes, it's about having the courage to ask the question in the first place.